Due to the huge number of bands playing at Bloodstock this year, and the fact that our two roving reporters will actually want to watch some of them, we’re doing a little round of pre-festival interviews this year. We’re focussing on the bands playing the Jagermeister and Hobgoblin New Blood Stages so they get a chance to convince you to go and watch them. Remember, these guys and gals are the future of our musical world!
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from the seaside town of Brighton, UK!
How did you meet?
We formed at university after Adam Sedgwick (singer/guitarist) and Rob (guitarist) started writing demos for the first EP of the Old Gods’ psalms, then we were joined by our brothers Sam Forrester (Bass) and Danny Yates (Drums) and the Cult of Leviathan was formed!
How long have you been playing together as a band?
We have been together for just over a year now, the cult officially began spreading the gospel of blood and war in March 2014.
Where does the name of the band come from
The band name comes from a previous project that Adam created called I, Leviathan and when we began spreading the gospel, King Leviathan felt a fitting name for the band.
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
Individually our influences span far and wide, such as Danny with Slam, Sam with Punk, Rob with Thrash and Adam with Doom Metal – But collectively, the collective influences generally come from bands such as Behemoth, Sylosis, Revocation, Ingested, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Slayer, Gojira, Ghost and Emperor. We are also thematically influenced by the Occult, history, myths and legends, horror fiction and religion.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Musically we can be described as being Melodic Thrash Metal, but we bring elements from genres that we love such as Black, Doom and Death Metal to create something more sinister. The Old Gods demand it!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Our live show is dramatic, energetic and with every performance we play it as if it’s our last, the Old Gods expect such devotion!
We have performed our Black Mass many times since our inception in 2014, and have spread the gospel far and wide on our recent tours with Meta-Stasis, Abhorrent Decimation, Stone Circle and Vulgate.
Did you enter M2TM thinking you could win it?
To be honest, there were so many amazing bands that we performed alongside in our M2TM Final that we were ready to hear any other band get through to Bloodstock (check them out by the way – Hole In The Sky, Derelict Dream, Bleed Again and Death Head). Our brothers in manic worship in Hell PuppeTs will also be joining us in performing at Bloodstock!
What sort of setlist can we expect?
One that is fast, heavy and brutal with cuts from our latest EP, The Shrine.
Which main stage band are you glad you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
We’re glad that we’re not clashing with Ihsahn, Enslaved and Sabaton. Sabaton especially since they’re bringing a tank!
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment we are preparing ourselves for Bloodstock, Mammothfest and another tour for the end of this year, as well as working on the creation of our first album!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
The wildest moment we’ve had recently is when we were on tour with Vulgate. It was Danny and Adam’s birthday and whilst we were in Northampton, we were all drinking rather heavily whilst being shouted at by an Italian punk band who were performing at the same venue as us… It was rather surreal…
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
Work as hard as possible, and strive to be the best possible thing you can be. Remember to enjoy it though, that is the greatest part of a band.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up (as support or headlining) who else would you have on the bill?
Behemoth and Revocation – Easy.
King Leviathan play the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage on the Friday.
King Leviathan: facebook | twitter | youtube | bandcamp | bigcartel
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